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2012-05-08 19:41

City cracks down on littering smokers

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday that it’s waging a war against smokers who litter the streets with cigarette butts. The crackdown will last until the end of next month.

Violators are subject to a 30,000-won ($26) fine, a city official said.

The municipal authorities are mobilizing employees to issue tickets to people caught throwing cigarettes on the city’s streets after smoking them. Surveillance cameras will also be used to catch offenders.

The crackdown also targets motorists discarding cigarette butts onto the roads from their vehicles as well as anyone who disposes of trash or spits in a public area.

“We expect our policy to promote a cleaner and more favorable environment for Seoul citizens,” an official said.

The city has made continuous efforts to decrease littering since 2009. The number of offenders dropped from 229,208 in 2009 to 184,000 in 2010 and then 180,837 in 2011.

Each of the city’s 25 district offices will target specific areas such as public parks and areas within 50-meters of bus stops.

The city will soon launch a media campaign such as infomercials on television channels, banners, and public display screens.






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